30-12-2019, 12:17 AM
51
Re: De-criminalisation of non-payment of TV Tax?
Originally Posted by bakerman
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Being an American, I am quite confused about what a tv license is ? If you have a tv then you must pay a fee ? If so, how much does it cost/month. Do I understand that there are tv detection vans roaming the streets ?In the U.S. there is no such thing as a tv license. There are 5 main free broadcasting stations: ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and PBS. EACH national broadcaster has several channels which means that you can watch 2 or 3 different programs at any specific time. Thus, there may be aprox up to 15 tv stations playing free programing.
Of course, there are several other ways of watching tv: having a satellite dish and/or cable tv. Both of which have a monthly charge. Additionally, both ways will offer internet services so you can use your laptop/PC.
I'm not really sure how good the TV programmes are. Most American programmes we see over here, I have to say in all honesty, are every so slightly crap!
Having said that, our own TV programmes these days are ever so slightly crap too!
I assume that ALL of your TV channels contain advertisements, which I suspect is why you don't have to pay a licence fee like we do. Presumably, the adverts pay for all your TV programmes AND the transmission network.
I do believe that we should have the same here: free television, just as you have.
Another question if I may, and I'm sure most people here know why I'm asking it, is do any of your TV companies have a perceptible political bias?
30-12-2019, 01:46 AM
52
Re: De-criminalisation of non-payment of TV Tax?
Originally Posted by JBR
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I have to say I envy you!Another question if I may, and I'm sure most people here know why I'm asking it, is do any of your TV companies have a perceptible political bias?
I also agree with you that too much of the programing is crap, and is directed toward a low I.Q. audience. There are, however, some fine programs.
30-12-2019, 08:52 AM
54
Re: De-criminalisation of non-payment of TV Tax?
Originally Posted by spitfire
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Bakerman, it must be so confusing over there, all those independent broadcasters, do they ever "send out the wrong Signals"?
For example, locally, I know that ABC (channel 8 ) broadcasts NFL American football every Sunday. Fox (channel 62 ) broadcasts more football but a completely different game. On Sunday night, NBC broadcasts yet another game. The final play-offs will begin this coming week-end., and I will get to see two (2) games on Saturday and two(2) more on Sunday. thus I will get to watch 4 games this week-end, all for free. And so it goes each week-end until the Super Bowl, the final game of the year.
Having said that it is important to note that I may not get to watch my favorite team EVERY Sunday because there are 16 games each Sunday and my favorite team may not be broadcast locally each week. There is a way around this but I would have to pay cable tv in order to watch every single game of my favorite team.
30-12-2019, 11:06 AM
56
Re: De-criminalisation of non-payment of TV Tax?
Originally Posted by bakerman
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Oh, my, yes ! The political bias on free broadcast tv, is quite pronounced. The leftists are in almost total control of the national networks. The sole exception is FOX tv which is slightly to the right of middle of the road. I also agree with you that too much of the programing is crap, and is directed toward a low I.Q. audience. There are, however, some fine programs.
The Simpsons is good, but I've seen them all now.
30-12-2019, 02:29 PM
58
Re: De-criminalisation of non-payment of TV Tax?
Originally Posted by Muddy
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American tv is dreadful .
Try watching Law & Order, NCIS, CSI, - all excellent (IMO) dramas. Their comedy shows don't always strike home (too many differences between British and US humour), but some of their comedy dramas aren't too bad.
30-12-2019, 02:51 PM
59
Re: De-criminalisation of non-payment of TV Tax?
Originally Posted by bakerman
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Oh, my, yes ! The political bias on free broadcast tv, is quite pronounced. The leftists are in almost total control of the national networks. The sole exception is FOX tv which is slightly to the right of middle of the road. I also agree with you that too much of the programing is crap, and is directed toward a low I.Q. audience. There are, however, some fine programs.
30-12-2019, 03:12 PM
60
Re: De-criminalisation of non-payment of TV Tax?
Originally Posted by Solasch
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Is that why many americans watch the news in european countries to get an unbiased take on what is happening in the usa?
The BBC has been appalling for years but let's face it, there can be no single even relatively unbiased news source.
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